BoSox owner could take bigger stake in NASCAR

Boston Red Sox owner John Henry will pop the champagne today on his Valentine’s Day deal to buy into one of the nation’s top race car teams. But don’t for a second think that Henry has ripped past the finish line when it comes to satisfying his growing interest in NASCAR. Henry’s deal for a 50 percent stake in Roush Racing is most likely a test drive for an even bigger role for the Sox owner in what is fast becoming America’s favorite pastime, industry observers say.

Now that he is an owner of a race car team, why not buy a piece of a racetrack? Or for that matter, help develop a new one? And, NASCAR observers say, one candidate is already on Henry’s radar screen: New Hampshire International Speedway.

The Loudon track is not exactly close to Boston, but it’s New England’s largest sporting facility and NASCAR’s sole New England outpost. And it really packs in the fans. The mile-long “super-speedway" averages more than 100,000 spectators for each of its two annual Nextel Cup races – at ticket prices ranging from $60 to $110. Eat your heart out, Fenway Park.

It’s clearly good business, but Henry is also an avowed racing nut. Certainly buying a stake in the Speedway – where Henry is a frequent visitor – would be nice. Whether owner Bob Bahre has any interest in taking on a partner- his son Gary current fills that role – is another question. Boston Herald